|
|
02-08-2020, 11:40 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 19
|
Question(s) Regarding RV Dealers & Inspectors
I’m shopping for an RV and I’m wondering:
1. Have you found that RV dealers are generally honest and reputable, or can their word not be trusted?
2. Is it safe to use an RV Inspector that is recommended by the dealer?
Also, can anyone recommend an RV inspector in the St. Louis region? Do you have any experiences to share regarding dealers in my area?
NOTE: Sorry for so many questions in one post. I hope I posted this in the right forum. If not, I apologize.
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
02-09-2020, 03:50 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 193
|
1. No - think used car salesman. Ok, there may be a few honest ones out there but they are hard to find. Get everything in writing.
2. I wouldn't. See above.
Can't help on the ST Louis area part
__________________
Yoshida
2016 Tiffin Phaeton 36GH
Northern Virginia
|
|
|
02-09-2020, 06:57 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northern VT
Posts: 469
|
While I think it’s a bad idea to stereotype ever dealer as a lying thief, they are trying to sell something and as such as we say in my line of work, “Trust but verify”. I bought my unit this fall from a dealer in OH, the unit was exactly as advertised. The inspection turned up a couple items (all small) that were promptly repaired before I arrived to take the unit.
I used an inspector out of the Louisville area, looking at his website St Louis is just outside his “ring”of areas, may be worth contacting to see. He and his wife tag team the report, he tests all the systems, and she checks the inside and out for any blemishes.
I’ll send you a PM with the inspectors contact info. I’d use them again if hunting.
__________________
2015 Winnebago Vista 35B. "The Vistabus!!"
|
|
|
02-09-2020, 07:27 AM
|
#4
|
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 674
|
1. No they have a monetary interest in lying, of course there are some honest ones but how do you tell which is which.
2. Not a chance find an independent one
Use the pessimist's rule of life: assume the worse so you will be pleasantly surprised when things go well.
|
|
|
02-09-2020, 08:00 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northern VT
Posts: 469
|
Forgot to note in my response, I agree with the others, get a independent inspection, no way to know if the dealers inspector doesn’t have “incentive” to give you a glowing report.
__________________
2015 Winnebago Vista 35B. "The Vistabus!!"
|
|
|
02-09-2020, 08:35 AM
|
#6
|
Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,942
|
Boy did I get a laugh out of your no 1 question. The short answer is you can always tell when an RV dealer/sales person is not telling the truth .... his lips will move.
Find your own independent RV inspector. Yo never know if the dealer and his inspector have a kick-back deal.
One word of advice is to make sure the dealer put everything he promises in the sales contract and you have a copy signed by an officer of the dealership. If it is not in writing you have zero recourse. Also make sure that the dealer knows the unit is not leaving his lot until the PDI is 100% for the RV....ie, all systems and trim is 100%.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
|
|
|
02-09-2020, 11:15 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Chicago Area
Posts: 635
|
Even when a dealer's sales person is not trying to be outright deceitful they could still be giving you bad information.
I've found in general, I know more about a specific model than they do. They sell many different manufactures with many different models. They have not memorized everything about every model and so will have a tendency to give a generalized answer. They may even confuse details between models and give a wrong answer they truly believe is right.
Don't make an emotional purchase, if you see unit you like that you have not done independent research on, don't pull the trigger until you do.
Also there is difference between asking "Can I?" vs. "Should I".
If you get a "slick willy" vib or feel pressured, walk you owe them nothing.
Remember their job is:
1. to get you to buy something today
2. Make money doing it
3. hopefully help you pick something you'll be happy with.
|
|
|
02-09-2020, 03:28 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Where we park it!
Posts: 13,145
|
By far most are basically the same as a used car salesman and many times do not know much about the units they are selling. Yes there are exceptions but far and few between A good recommendation from multiple folks might be helpful.
As to inspection NO, NO, NO do NOT use the dealer's inspector. Rather as others have suggested get a certified independent inspector. One you pay for and not the dealer.
Good luck
__________________
momdoc
2018 Tiffin Allegro RED 37PA
2020 JEEP Trailhawk
|
|
|
02-09-2020, 03:29 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Where we park it!
Posts: 13,145
|
By far most are basically the same as a used car salesman and many times do not know much about the units they are selling. Yes there are exceptions but far and few between A good recommendation from multiple folks might be helpful.
As to inspection NO, NO, NO do NOT use the dealer's inspector. Rather as others have suggested get a certified independent inspector. One you pay for and not the dealer.
Good luck
__________________
momdoc
2018 Tiffin Allegro RED 37PA
2020 JEEP Trailhawk
|
|
|
02-09-2020, 04:10 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Comancheria
Posts: 484
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by momdoc
Rather as others have suggested get a certified independent inspector.
|
And who does this certifying and how do we know they're on the level?
__________________
2016 Tiffin 32SA 24K chassis
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid toad
|
|
|
02-09-2020, 04:28 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Western Washington
Posts: 213
|
I used an independent inspector from the NRVIA website when I bought my Tiffin. Very thorough inspection. https://nrvia.org/locate/
__________________
2017 Leisure Travel Vans Unity CB
2013 Honda CR-V
|
|
|
02-09-2020, 07:22 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 1,211
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MoTiger
I’m shopping for an RV and I’m wondering:
1. Have you found that RV dealers are generally honest and reputable, or can their word not be trusted?
|
Absolutely not. They are worse than a temporary hire at Honest Bob's Used Tire shop. They have one responsibility, and that's to get you to buy something from them. They have absolutely no reason to be honest about an RV. They do have reasons to say anything that will get you to buy from them.
Quote:
2. Is it safe to use an RV Inspector that is recommended by the dealer?
|
I wouldn't trust anyone recommended by a dealer. That person has the dealer's interests in mind, not yours. You want someone that you pay, not someone that the dealer pays.
Quote:
NOTE: Sorry for so many questions in one post. I hope I posted this in the right forum. If not, I apologize.
|
I have no idea where to find an inspector in that area. Also, 3 questions isn't too many questions. Ask as many as you like and someone will answer them. I can't think of anybody who will complain that you're asking too many questions.
__________________
2014 F350 DRW 6.7L CC FX4 King Ranch Ruby Red Metallic 158,000 Miles 4,450 Hours
2018 Cherokee Grey Wolf 29TE | Because I'm home, no matter where I am.
2018 Honda CB650F | Because the truck leans the wrong way when I turn.
|
|
|
02-09-2020, 07:31 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Vintage RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 720
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by momdoc
By far most are basically the same as a used car salesman and many times do not know much about the units they are selling. Yes there are exceptions but far and few between A good recommendation from multiple folks might be helpful.
As to inspection NO, NO, NO do NOT use the dealer's inspector. Rather as others have suggested get a certified independent inspector. One you pay for and not the dealer.
Good luck
|
x2 and then some
__________________
1998 Fleetwood Flair 25Y--P30 Chassis - 7.4 L - KD5ALG
"When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not." - Mark Twain
|
|
|
02-09-2020, 07:33 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 165
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Finally Time
I used an independent inspector from the NRVIA website when I bought my Tiffin. Very thorough inspection. https://nrvia.org/locate/
|
I used this website as well and wrote to three in the Phoenix area prior to my purchase, though it was from a private party. I asked them what they checked, what type of report I would receive and the cost. I and the owner was pleased with the selection I made.
Good luck and I agree with having an independent inspector chosen by you.
__________________
2011 Winnebago Sightseer 36V
2014 Ford Focus four wheels down
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|